writing

Read more about the article Summer Shenanigans

Summer Shenanigans

Last weekend, I went with some girlfriends to Tillamook, Oregon for a getaway weekend. If you've never been to Tillamook, it's best known for its dairy industry — so of course we visited Blue Heron creamery to sample delicious brie and feed the animals.(That's me as a bull above, with my friend and fellow author Alexis, writing as Alexis Radcliff, as a peacock. Photo by Kristin Koontz.)I find summers fun, but exhausting. While Portland winters are designed for hunkering down and getting work done, as soon as we get our stretch of rain-free summer days we try to pack in…

Read more about the article Breathe In, Breathe Out — And Retake Control of Your Life

Breathe In, Breathe Out — And Retake Control of Your Life

There’s this thing I’ve been hearing a lot from creative friends over the last few weeks. It goes something like: “I’m trying to get back to work, but I just can’t focus with everything that’s going on in the world.” (Mostly there are a lot more swear words.) If you’re in that boat lately — whatever the reason — you’re not alone. I feel you. I don’t have the solution to all the world’s problems, (sorry), but I do have some ideas for blocking out the chaos and getting your own work done. Because as much as there is a…

Read more about the article Camp Nanowrimo, Day 1 – and a request

Camp Nanowrimo, Day 1 – and a request

Have you ever done Nanowrimo? It's National Novel Writing Month, which happens every November. People around the world take on the challenge of writing a novel (50,000 words) in one month. I participated years ago and enjoyed the challenge of writing daily – plus, the excitement of hearing everyone else's progress is really enlivening! About a week ago, I heard about Camp Nanowrimo. It's the "summer camp" version of Nanowrimo, where you can set your own word count goal, then shack up into digital "cabins" with other writers in order to share encouragement and feedback. I decided to sign up on a…

Read more about the article The Art of Collaboration

The Art of Collaboration

This post was originally published on at Four Windows Books, a project I'm working on with my friend Christine Smith. The Novel Incubator A while back, I interviewed Lucrece Borrego about her Brewery Incubator project in Houston. The project met a need – home brewers who were interested in getting into commercial brewing, but didn't have the capital or expertise to dive right in unsupported. The Brewery Incubator would give them the space and equipment to work on their craft, as well as connecting them in to a community of beer enthusiasts who could give them feedback and encouragement as…